Just got myself a 2009 Nissan Maxima S with the Sport Package for $1700 USD,it has 160k miles on it.
I love it but on cold starts (ONLY COLD STARTUPS) when I fire up the engine, the RPMs start idling at 1400. It takes forever for it to drop to regular idle rpm, I would say more than 3 minutes for it to do so. Sometimes I just start her up, then wait 30 seconds and then put it in gear and it drops instantly from 1400 to 700, drives perfectly fine, I was always used to cars idling at 1500 rpms on cold starts and then after 30 seconds when the engine warms up, drops down to regular idling rpms by itself, thats not the case with my Maxima

Little bit concerned since this is new to me, is it normal for the Maxima to be acting this way? Or is it just the way for this car to warm up?


If you are curious about the $1700 story then read the list I linked, It needed a lot of work but nothing major for the mileage.
Here's the list: http://prntscr.com/pzejtx
I think all the work done makes sense at 160k.


I've always wanted a VQ35 but I wanted it to be relatively fuel efficient, inside a sick looking car, loaded with tech and cool features, FWD for better snow driving. The 7th gen had it all thanks to the CVT and it being a FWD.
G35s were an option but the gas mileage plus it being RWD will kill me financially and I think Infiniti parts are more expensive too. Plus having winter tires on a RWD is a must so the costs keep adding up. I can keep all seasons on FWD.
I seriously believe that people are missing out on the Maximas, amazing fun reliable bulletproof smooth to drive cars.



All help is appreciated!

 

Well if its cold its normal....Canada sounds cold lol. Congrats on the car, I have the same car and had it for 3 years and love it still. Warm it up for 5 minutes and treat it well IMO. Start saving for some front shocks, get some OEM, rest our junk, and that radiator might go too soon, not to be negative but mines at 183k gave out....(original one) I changed it for a cheap e-bay one and its been 6 months and still good....wasn't gonna pay $550.00 US dollars for a radiator, and the labor for these cars for that is a killer.....learn to do it yourself....dealer charges like 1K for that job smh lol. Took me all day to change alone.....started at 9am finished at 6pm.....first time, second might take 2 hours less....had to get creative and skip some things that had to be taken out lol. Enjoy bro.

 

Thank you so much for the reply! So far so good, I will be saving for the front shocks and also the AC. Should be nothing but joy. Cheers!

 

If I was you I would look for some used 2014 model parts.....5 years newer and interchangeable....get those OEM shocks. Got mines from the 14 model OEM for 150$ each both fronts with 34K miles on them.....some people spend $100 for brand new Monroe's and the ride is worse than before.....just a heads up on those Struts. Avoid pot holes on the ones you have, I'm sure they are original.

 

Thanks for the info I noticed that the front shocks aren't in the most ideal shape to say the least but I think they will last for now. My main concern is the AC.

 

Add some freon and see if the compressor kicks in.....my AC went out this last summer after not using it all last winter.....I found out on these cars from my own research that once A month you are suppose to run the AC during the winter months to circulate the freon in there......you might be low and that's why it ain't kicking in. I bought a bottle and recharged it for like 35$ and fixed it myself. Do you really need AC in Canada ?

 

97, 2002 and the current 2009 Maximas, all takes a LONG time to fully warm up in cold weather (sub 35F).
That's normal for this car (engine being full aluminum block)

 

Don't forget, our 7th gens have connections for the coolant to the throttle body and sensors. Make sure yours is topped up and you may want to bleed it to be sure. I live in FL so cold is 55F but I do recall a time or two when I had to scrape frost (not ice) from the windows sometime over the last few years.

 

Running rich (high RPM) at cold start is normal and BronxSleeperMax187 is right about running the A/C. The PAG oil that keeps the seals lubricated and conditioned only flows when the A/C is running. You have to use the system otherwise it'll start to crack and fail.